Tim Burton’s two Batman Movies have many great characters, and also a number of excellent lines of dialogue across the two-film arc. In 1989, director Tim Burton took on the delicate task of adapting one of the most iconic superheroes of all time to the big screen. His two films are often seen as two of the best Batman movies, with both Batman And Batman Returns Being decidedly old and helping to shape the modern superhero genre.
As well as proving to be another pair of collaborations between Tim Burton and Michael Keaton, Burton’s Batman movies featured many excellent moments. The director’s authentic style and darkly humorous approach to storytelling is evident throughout the two-film arc, with a unique blend of fantasy and comic precision that makes both movies particularly memorable. With that in mind, here are the 10 best quotes from Tim Burton’s Batman movies, ranked.
10
“You want to get nuts?”
Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne in Batman (1989)
After unexpectedly meeting the Joker in Vicki Vale’s apartment, Bruce Wayne finds himself in an impossible situation. To protect his cover, he deliberately reinforces the villain, with his monologue ending in a spirited delivery of the line: “You want to get nuts? Let’s get nuts!“This insight is enough for the Joker to shoot Wayne, who is protected by a tray hidden under his shirt, preserving both his life and his secret identity.
What makes this quote such an excellent one is simply how it relates to Michael Keaton’s performance as Bruce Wayne. While many actors have played Batman in live-action, few could have brought Bruce Wayne to life in Burton’s world as perfectly as Keaton. The frenetic energy with which he delivers the line helps set Keaton’s Bruce Wayne apart from BatmanWhile also conveying the character’s calculating and intelligent nature.
9
“This town needs an enema!”
Jack Nicholson as the Joker in Batman (1989)
1989s Batman Seen another actor become the Joker in live-action, with Jack Nicholson assuming the role. His version of the iconic villain is introduced as a violent criminal who is transformed after falling into a vat of chemicals. After becoming the Joker, he announces himself to the people of Gotham with a public act of violence, although his appearance is overshadowed by news of Batman. In disgust, he announces: “This town needs an enema!“
That line is one that only Nicholson’s Joker could get away with, like It communicates both the silliness and the maturity of Burton’s movies. This is an unexpected and humorous addition to the film, making it a particularly memorable quote from the villain. It also speaks to the Joker’s feelings towards Batman, establishing the villain’s finesse over something as trivial as news coverage.
8
“I made you, you made me first.”
Michael Keaton as Batman in Batman (1989)
The final showdown between the Joker and Batman remains one of the most rewatchable scenes in Burton’s Batman movies. The culmination of the villain’s plan sees Batman lured to the roof of Gotham Cathedral, with the pair finally facing one another on even terms. After the Joker tells Batman that the hero is responsible for his creation, Batman responds with the immortal line: “I made you, you made me.“
Although the decision to combine Batman and the Joker’s origins proved controversial, the line is an excellent one. It summarizes the film’s reimagining of both characters’ originsAlso acknowledge the Joker for an excellent comeback in the process. This quote may be the product of a divisive narrative element, but nonetheless continues to stand out as a brilliantly written piece of cinematic history.
7
“I played this stinking town like a harp from hell!”
Danny DeVito as The Penguin in Batman Returns (1992)
Danny DeVito’s iteration of the Penguin was a unique interpretation of the character, as it leaned toward the villain’s deformities rather than just his avian-themed criminal proclivities. Burton’s take on The Penguin was notable for many reasons, including being excellently written throughout Batman Returns. One moment sees the character lobbying to be elected mayor of Gotham City, only for Bruce Wayne to play a recording of Penguin saying that he “Played the stinking city like a harp from hell” During his speech.
As well as being written perfectly for the character, the line is expertly delivered by DeVito. The use of it inside Batman ReturnsThe story is also brilliant, as it serves as a plot point and a key characterization of the movie’s main villain. As a result, it stands out as a particularly large quote in the two-film arc.
6
“Wait they’ll get a load of me.”
Jack Nicholson as the Joker in Batman (1989)
When rewatching the Batman movies made by Tim Burton, a handful of details stand out as particularly noteworthy. One of the most obvious is that Jack Nicholson’s take on the Joker is truly excellent in a number of ways, from comic accuracy and comic timing to being equal parts humorous and horrifying. One of the villain’s best lines has since become almost as iconic as the character himself, when the Joker simply announces: “Wait, they’ll get a load of me.“
This line is the Joker’s response to reading a headline about Batman terrorizing the city, and it perfectly encapsulates the villain’s mindset. He sees that Batman is considered a terrible thing, and also the opportunity to make a joke about his own terrible potential. It’s a moment that taps into the dark and twisted psyche of the JokerWith the line delivered to perfection by Nicholson.
5
“Mistletoe can be deadly if you eat it.”
Michael Keaton as Batman & Michelle Pfeiffer as Selina Kyle in Batman Returns (1992)
Batman Returns introduced Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman to Burton’s Batman continuity, detailing the origins of the anti-hero and the foundations of her relationship with Batman. The film sees Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle bond while unaware of each other’s alter egos, only to discover the truth while dancing together at Max Shrek’s costume ball. In a reversal of an earlier scene where they meet as Batman and Catwoman, Selina says:Mistletoe can be deadly if you eat it“, to which Bruce replies: “But a kiss can be even deadlier if you mean it.“
The symmetry of this moment is understated, but cleverly written. Having Selina Kyle repeat Batman’s earlier line only to have Bruce Wayne repeat Catwoman’s in response is a subtle but brilliant touch, and It’s a quote that cements the pair’s mutual fascination. Despite their romance being somewhat doomed from the start, the line perfectly captures the essence of the undeniable spark between them.
4
“Ah, the direct approach. I admire that in a man with a mask.
Danny DeVito as The Penguin in Batman Returns (1992)
In Tim Burton’s quirky and darkly humorous take on Gotham City, interactions between Batman and his villains often stand out as particularly great moments. Batman’s seriousness combined with the inherent otherness of his villains lends itself perfectly to subtle humor, and Batman and the Penguin’s dynamic taps right into that idea. While quizzing Penguin about his plan, the villain quickly retorts: “Ah, the direct approach. I admire that in a man with a mask.“
Batman’s hypocrisy is not only a funny moment in the movie, but it establishes DeVito’s Penguin as deceptively smart and distinctly perceptive. It also serves to blur the lines between hero and villain, as Penguin shows that Batman really isn’t that different from his antagonists. how so The quote stands out as both hilarious and clever writing Even decades after the release of the film.
3
“You know what, I closed myself for someone else.”
Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne in Batman Returns (1992)
There are many qualities of Tim Burton’s Batman movies that help them stand out even among their contemporaries. Chief among them is Burton’s ability to inject personality and quirkiness into every aspect of his continuity, extending even to the eponymous hero. Upon meeting Selina Kyle for the first time, Michael Keaton’s Bruce Wayne becomes visibly flustered, telling her “Sorry, I pretended to be someone else.“
The line, though delivered in passing, conveys multiple layers of meaning at once. As well as referring to Bruce Wayne’s double life and the difficulty he has in keeping his two identities separate, it also communicates how unsettled he is by his first meeting with Selina Kyle. It’s a line so subtly and comedically delivered by Keaton that its multiple meanings add a wealth of depth to the character.Marking it as a deceptively large quote.
2
“Still… it could be worse. My nose could be bleeding. ”
Danny DeVito as The Penguin in Batman Returns (1992)
Danny DeVito’s Penguin is by far one of the most memorable Batman movie villains of all time, not least due to his deliberately unhinged appearance and animalistic mannerisms. Shortly after entering Gotham City, the Penguin is persuaded by Max Shrek, and the plan to run him for mayor is formed. One of the men tasked with transforming Penguin into a respectable citizen remarks on his appearance, only for the villain to reply:Still, it could be worse… My nose could be bleeding.He then suddenly sank his teeth into the man’s face.
This quote is one of the first moments in Batman Returns To mark Penguin as every bit as intelligent as he is violent. The vicious response to being insulted is designedly humorous, and also visceral in its execution.. It cements DeVito’s penguin as an unpredictable and formidable foe, as well as a great moment of dark humor.
1
“Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?”
Jack Nicholson as the Joker in Batman (1989)
When considering the best quotes in Tim Burton’s Batman movies, longevity is undoubtedly an important factor. One particular quote that stood the test of time and eventually became relatively iconic in its own right is uttered several times throughout the film, as the Joker uses it as something of a catchphrase. When killing his victims, the Joker reveals that he enjoys asking them: “Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?“
Not only is the line memorable and poetic, but it’s also used to great effect throughout the movie. Most notably, it was used to have Bruce Wayne learn the true identity of the Joker and uncover the connection in their origins, which is a key moment in the plot of the 1989 movie. In this, it stands out as the best quote from Tim Burton Batman Movies.
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